leadership

is action directed toward dealing with unanticipated events that otherwise would influence outcomes of critical tasks as the actor's level.

Jacobs and Jacques (1987) conceived and viewed leadership in complex organizations as 'discretionary action directed toward dealing with unanticipated events that otherwise would influence outcomes of critical tasks as the actor's level' (as did Osborn, Hunt, & Jauch, 1980). It is influence over and above what is typically invested in the role influence beyond what is due to formal procedures, rules, and regulations. Thus, managers are leaders only when they take the opportunity to exert influence over activities beyond what has been prescribed as their role requirements.

JacobsThinkers

Jacobs